As the situation in Egypt escalates, there is an increasing fear of an eruption of violence in the largest Arab country. The protesters yesterday called for ‘a million man march' today from the epicentre of the ongoing protests in Cairo's central Tahrir Square to the presidential palace. The move would represent the height of the week-old demonstrations in major cities against the regime.
As the Arab world looks anxiously at what is taking place in Egypt, we all hope that today's protests will be peaceful and both sides exercise maximum restraint, especially as protesters reach the security-sensitive area of the presidential palace.
The Egyptian government has acknowledged that the protesters have legitimate grievances and President Hosni Mubarak said his country is in dire need of genuine reforms.
Nevertheless, the protesters must express those demands in a civilised and orderly manner. They should not provoke, or allow themselves to be provoked, by the security forces into clashes. Chaos is not in anyone's interest.
This popular movement has started as a call for reforms and change. It should not turn into a destructive tool to threaten the lives of the Egyptian people or their property.
The authorities have a duty to protect those protesting too. They are not the enemy of the nation.
Egypt is not just an Arab state. It is the largest Arab country and the bastion of a more than 7,000-year-old civilisation. It is the heart and soul of the Arab nation. It has always been the defender of Arab interests and the guardian of pan-Arab aspirations. Thus, we all hope and pray that it remains safe and united.
The entire Arab world appeals to the protesters and the security forces to refrain from violence and avoid bloodshed.
